Introduction

In this chapter, we look at the major internal hardware components of a mobile handset and the key design issues which affect their design. We shall focus on core design aspects which are most particular to mobile handsets – radio, baseband cellular modem and mobile application processors. We shall look only briefly at the many – yet critical – peripheral components such as display, camera, audio, GPS, WiFi, sensors and so on. Our justification for taking this approach is that the core hardware and software components are the essence of what makes a mobile handset different to other consumer electronics products such as digital cameras, portable games consoles, SatNavs, set top boxes, etc. Many of these other modern consumer electronics devices also have displays, cameras, audio, memory, interfacing to other devices and connectivity options, so we shall focus on those aspects which most differentiate a mobile handset. In doing this, we are not, by any stretch of the imagination, under-estimating the importance which these other components play in creating a contemporary design. Indeed, these components are subject to the same core design constraints as the core handset components, and component manufacturers create peripheral products which are specifically suited to the design constraints of mobile devices.

Helicopter view

At a high level, Figure 4.1 illustrates the key functional hardware blocks which make up a modern handset such as a smartphone.